Has anyone not been stung by bristle worms?

[Auquanut]

There is a lot of talk about the pain associated with coming in contact with a bristle worm. I don't see any in my display. My guess is that my melanaurus wrasse keeps them under control. I have a LOT of them in the sump though. I've touched them many times while removing chaeto from the fuge and cleaning equipment, but never had any real discomfort. I have a certain degree of nerve damage in the fingers of my dominant right hand, but the thumb is fine and my left hand is good.

Here's something else. I've seen pics/videos of some huge BW's, but even though I've had them for years, I've never seen one in my sump much bigger than an inch long.

Could it be that the pain associated with BW sting is like an allergic reaction, and some folks just don't react the same way as others? Are there different species that pack a different punch?

 

[Pistondog]

There is a lot of talk about the pain associated with coming in contact with a bristle worm. I don't see any in my display. My guess is that my melanaurus wrasse keeps them under control. I have a LOT of them in the sump though. I've touched them many times while removing chaeto from the fuge and cleaning equipment, but never had any real discomfort. I have a certain degree of nerve damage in the fingers of my dominant right hand, but the thumb is fine and my left hand is good.

Here's something else. I've seen pics/videos of some huge BW's, but even though I've had them for years, I've never seen one in my sump much bigger than an inch long.

Could it be that the pain associated with BW sting is like an allergic reaction, and some folks just don't react the same way as others? Are there different species that pack a different punch?

Touched one while splitting chaeto, felt like small electric ping. Then itched for 2 days, then like fiberglass fiber for 4 more.
Not bad.

 

[WVNed]

I have never been stung by one because they don't sting. They have hairs that can become embedded in your skin if you grab one forcefully enough.

 

[Roosterjack]

They give me the heebie-jeebies bad enough just being the loathsome little devils they are.

Bobbit worms are enough to give me nightmare....

 

[Subsea]

Many different species. Fire bristle worms are a generic term that refers to a very small percentage. I have handled many bristle worms. In one case, small quills were left in my skin which I removed promptly. No real pain but some slight redness.

 

[Auquanut]

Touched one while splitting chaeto, felt like small electric ping. Then itched for 2 days, then like fiberglass fiber for 4 more.
Not bad.

I've had a bit of an itchy feeling in the tender areas between the fingers, but it never lasted for more than a couple of hours. I've literally had one sitting on the back of my hand with no ill effect.

 

[vetteguy53081]

its more of an annoying bothersome itchy tingly feeling.
Remedy:
- Remove the spines, either with tweezers, using various forms of tape (including Duck Tape or even lint rollers) to adhere to the spines and pull them out, or dissolve the bristles with household vinegar.
- Apply hydrocortisone ointment to relieve burning and inflamation
- Use over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain.
- soaking finger in a cup of vinegar while allow the acetic acid to eat away at the chaetae.

 

[Auquanut]

I have never been stung by one because they don't sting. They have hairs that can become embedded in your skin if you grab one forcefully enough.

Aha! Now we're getting somewhere. I've seen posts that compare basic BW stings to a bee sting, and fire worm stings to be incredibly painful.

 

[Auquanut]

its more of an annoying bothersome itchy tingly feeling.
Remedy:
- Remove the spines, either with tweezers, using various forms of tape (including Duck Tape or even lint rollers) to adhere to the spines and pull them out, or dissolve the bristles with household vinegar.
- Apply hydrocortisone ointment to relieve burning and inflamation
- Use over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain.
- soaking finger in a cup of vinegar while allow the acetic acid to eat away at the chaetae.

Great info. Thanks.

 

[KrisReef]

I never thought they stung until I brushed one (I think) with a cut through my calloused that allowed whatever antibiotic reaction to fire off as a result of the exposure.

I think a pincushion urchin packs more "sting" but they have a better dermal disruption system than the hairy worms, ime.

I've never had them remain embedded for a long time like an urchin (+2 months) or a cactus spine can do.

 

[ScubaFish802]

It seems vinegar is a good thing to have around. I believe it also helps with anemone stings for the same reasons?

 

[Auquanut]

Wow! Lots of good info here. So from what I've seen so far, here's what I'm getting:

1. Common bristle worms are not nearly as painful as they may seem.
2. BW's don't sting. It's the action of us coming in contact with them that drives the bristles into our skin. The more force we apply, the deeper the bristle will go.
3. I'm assuming that size matters as as far as BW's are concerned. The larger the worm, the larger the bristles and the greater the irritation.
4. There are steps we can take to mitigate the effect of contact with BW's. Thanks again @vetteguy53081.

Still curious.
Do people react differently? Through my experience, I have no fear of coming in contact with them. That may change if I ever get a bad reaction.

Why do I only see little ones after having them for years?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Yep. I'd also say some of us probably have some kind of an allergic reaction. I know they hurt pretty bad when they get me, but I think I have an allergy to some things that others don't. If I get tagged by them, it hurts for a few days.

 

[piranhaman00]

Ive touched them frequently with no reaction.

 

[Auquanut]

Yep. I'd also say some of us probably have some kind of an allergic reaction. I know they hurt pretty bad when they get me, but I think I have an allergy to some things that others don't. If I get tagged by them, it hurts for a few days.

Ive touched them frequently with no reaction.

Looks like a person's reaction to contact with a BW can go anywhere from no reaction (which is what I've experienced) to pretty darned significant. I guess it depends on the individual.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I have thick rubber gloves, like the yellow ones you use for dishes, but even thicker for when I am working in my sump.

 

[Rogued_Reefer]

There is a lot of talk about the pain associated with coming in contact with a bristle worm. I don't see any in my display. My guess is that my melanaurus wrasse keeps them under control. I have a LOT of them in the sump though. I've touched them many times while removing chaeto from the fuge and cleaning equipment, but never had any real discomfort. I have a certain degree of nerve damage in the fingers of my dominant right hand, but the thumb is fine and my left hand is good.

Here's something else. I've seen pics/videos of some huge BW's, but even though I've had them for years, I've never seen one in my sump much bigger than an inch long.

Could it be that the pain associated with BW sting is like an allergic reaction, and some folks just don't react the same way as others? Are there different species that pack a different punch?

I’ve touched them plenty of times and had them even crawl in my arm... never felt the level of discomfort most people claim. Only once I felt a sting and that was from a BW about 2.5-3” in length and fat one too lol but it wasn’t too bad and just for a few minutes.